All About Rory McIlroy’s Daughter Poppy McIlroy

Rory McIlroy may be a well-decorated athlete, but his most coveted title is being the father of Poppy Kennedy McIlroy.

The Irish golfer has a daughter with his wife Erica Stoll. They tied the knot in a lavish A-list ceremony in Ireland in 2017 after three years of dating, although the couple have known each other since 2012.

In 2020, their family grew to three with the addition of Poppy. A new father, Rory said Golf week that becoming a dad was a surreal experience. “It’s unbelievable,” he told the newspaper. “You see other people having kids and babies, and you’re going to congratulate them and be happy for them, but you don’t really know what that feels like.”

Rory added that after watching Erica give birth, he has a new “admiration” for his wife. “Now that I know, everyone I know who has a child, they have so much more admiration for the mother, through what she’s going through, and it’s just amazing,” he said.

The term “unconditional love” also takes on a whole new meaning, Rory added. “You feel like you’re getting to know your baby while they’re still in the womb, but to go from not meeting that person to loving them unconditionally minute by minute, there’s nothing like it in the world,” he said. He said.

The golfer continued: “It’s probably the best part of being human and I’m glad I got to experience it.”

From the inspiration behind her name to her sweetest moments with her dad, here’s everything you need to know about Rory McIlroy’s daughter, Poppy.

Rory and Erica kept the pregnancy news a secret for months

Rory McIlroy and Erica McIlroy at the 2018 Ryder Cup Gala.

Ross Kinnaird/Getty

Fans found out that Rory and Erica were expecting just a few days before their baby girl was born. During the post-round interview, Rory confirmed that he would become a father “any day now” and that he was “just waiting for the phone call”.

“We’re going to be parents soon, so we’re obviously very excited. Yes, we shared the news with friends and family, obviously, but I didn’t think it was something I should really share here,” said Rory, per Golf week. “It’s a private thing, but we’re very excited and can’t wait for her to come.

As soon as the phone rang, Rory added, “I’m leaving.”

Poppy is a Virgo

Rory McIllroy and newborn daughter, Poppy.

Rory McIlroy Instagram

Poppy Kennedy McIlroy was born on August 31, 2020 in Jupiter, Florida. Rory shared the happy news on Instagram with a black and white photo of the newborn holding his little finger. “Poppy Kennedy McIlroy, born August 31st at 12:15. She is the absolute love of our lives,” he wrote.

Rory assured that “mother and baby are doing great” and wished a “huge thank you” to the medical staff at Jupiter Medical Center.

Rory and Erica always knew they wanted to name their daughter after a flower

IN Golf week interview, Rory revealed that he and Erica looked to nature, specifically flowers, for inspiration when brainstorming possible names for their daughter. Rose and Iris were strong competitors, but throughout the process they couldn’t shake the name Poppy. “We really liked it [Poppy]. I have my cousin; her daughter’s name is Poppy. We know a few more Poppys. And we really like the name,” he said.

Rory explained that Rose was ruled out after they realized it was too similar to his mother’s name, Rosie. Several of his pro golf buddies, including Alex Noran and Shane Lowry, also have daughters named Iris, so they opted for Poppy.

“We wanted to go with something that was quite unique, maybe more so where I’m from, but we landed on Poppy and loved it,” he said.

Rory said it was difficult going back to work after Poppy’s birth

Rory McIlroy during the final round of the 2022 Masters at Augusta National Golf Club.

Gregory Shamus/Getty

Four days after becoming a dad, Rory returned to the golf course to compete in the FedEx Cup Final. Speaking with Golf week about his whirlwind of a week. The golfer admitted that it was difficult for him to separate from Erica and their newborn, who was released from the hospital just 24 hours ago.

“We brought her home yesterday. It’s nice in the hospital. You have so much help and all the nurses are there and they do a phenomenal job,” he explained.

The first-time dad jokingly added that the hospital doesn’t give you an “instruction manual” when you leave, and that he and Erica were trying to settle into their new normal. Although the couple are blessed with a strong support system, Rory said getting back on the fairway was difficult.

“I didn’t want to leave. It was just hard to leave, really hard to leave. But at the end of the day, life doesn’t stop. Life goes on. I know Erica is surrounded by her family, and my mom and dad are right around the corner, so she has all the help she needs, so I felt a little more comfortable going,” he said.

Poppy served as Dad’s caddy in the 2023 Masters Par 3 competition.

Rory McIlroy and his daughter Poppy on the ninth hole during the Par 3 competition ahead of the 2023 Masters.

Keyur Khamar/PGA TOUR/Getty

Rory was joined by two very special ladies on the green during the 2023 Masters Par 3 event in Augusta, Georgia. The round is known to be a family event with spouses, children and other relatives acting as caddies. Rory’s team was rounded out by the addition of his wife and daughter, who donned matching white jumpsuits with “McIlroy” emblazoned on the back.

Sharing a highlight reel of cute dad-daughter moments from their time on the green, Rory wrote: “Always one of the best days of the year.” In one clip, Poppy can be heard asking her dad if they can go play in the bunker, after which the video cuts to a shot of Poppy drawing in the sand with Rory’s T-shirt.

Rory said becoming a dad put his career in perspective

Rory McIlroy and his daughter Poppy during the Par 3 competition ahead of the 2023 Masters.

Erick W. Rasco/Sports Illustrated/Getty

Since the birth of his daughter, Rory has changed his perspective when it comes to his career and future in golf. In a frank conversation with Golf week, Rory admitted that in the past he struggled to maintain a healthy line between his home and work life. However, since Poppy came, he is better at drawing the line.

“It just puts things into perspective a little bit,” he said of the Poppy theme. “[My career] it’s important to me and I care a lot about it, but at the same time it makes the hard days easier to get through, doesn’t it.”

He continued: “When I say it’s not the be-all and end-all, it’s a major championship and I’ve grown up dreaming of winning these tournaments all my life, and that’s not going to change, but if it’s not a fluke, I can live with it and go home and to be very happy and leave what happened on the golf course on the golf course.”

Poppy is the star of her dad’s golf tournaments

Rory McIlroy and Erica Stoll with their daughter Poppy at the 2021 Wells Fargo Championship.

Jared C. Tilton/Getty

Poppy already has her own fan base. At tournaments, she became known for her McIlroy-emblazoned golf apparel and funny comments about her father’s golfing glory. At the 2023 Scottish Open, Poppy was even hilariously caught rooting for her dad’s competitor!

IN clip is set to X from the PGA Tour account, Erica and Poppy can be seen eagerly waiting to congratulate Rory after his big win. However, Poppy is focused on greeting the other player.

“Say ‘Well done, Dad,'” Erica told her daughter in the video. Poppy then pulls herself out of her mom’s arms and starts walking away as Erica explains to Rory that, “She wants to give Tommy [Fleetwood] hug.”

“We all need a hug,” Rory laughed in response.

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Source: HIS Education